Super Easy Stir Fry Earns Points in My House!

Yay!  Another jackpot winner!  You know I am passionate about good quality food!  Organic fruits and vegetables, farm raised organic meats and non-processed foods are what I  am committed to.  Sometimes that's all well and good, but sometimes you just have to prepare what is available in a short time frame. This blog post is for those of you who don't think you can have  healthy, good food with limited time.

So, here is one way you can use some prepared foods to combine into a healthy dinner in a flash.  Ok, maybe not a flash, as there is a crock pot involved, but once you are set up it is totally doable.

Some of these products are from Trader Joe's,  however, I do know other stores are carrying versions of these ingredients.  Here they are:

If you can find this it's great as it's precooked and just needs heating

Onion

Soy sauce ... this is a great variety:  Organic Tamari

Fresh grated ginger ... there are also frozen pre-grated varities in stores

Stir-fry veggies already prepped

This is a great vinegar ... omit if you don't have but I love to use this as a condiment as well

Beef Stir-Fry

1 package of pre-cooked sirloin (16 0z)
1 small onion sliced thinly
1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
1-2 Tablespoons freshly grated ginger
1 Tablespoon Ume Plum Vinegar (optional)
1 Tablespoon of olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil
1 package of stir-fry vegetables
cooked rice

Directions:

1. Place sliced onions on a microwave safe dish.  Heat for about 45 seconds to release flavors.  You may also saute on a stove top instead.
2. Place onions in the bottom of crockpot.  Pour soy sauce, grated ginger, and vinegar over the onions.  Stir together.
3. Top mixture with sirloin.  
4. Cover and cook on low until meat pulls apart easily.  I just turn it on and walk away till the end of the day. 
5. Heat fry pan or wok.  Add olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil to heated pan.  Add stir-fry vegetable mix to hot pan.  Stir regularly until desired consistency.
6. Optional:  add beef to vegetables to allow juices to cook with vegetables or add separately to individual plates. 
7. Serve over rice.

A grand slam on the dinner table

*I actually made this even easier by using rice from our take out Thai dinner the night before.  See, I do cheat on healthy dinner too!

** Check your package of pre-cooked beef (or chicken).  If there is added sodium, you might want to add 1 cup of water to your crockpot to thin it out.


This is just one way you can get a dinner on the table that the kids will love (and us old folks too!).  Visit your markets to see what you can come up with.  I know what it's like to be stuck in a food rut and really despise the dreaded dinner question, "What's for dinner?"  With the holiday season approaching, we tend to be even busier parents with all kinds of obligations.  You know what happens?  We eat like crap.  Yep, we eat garbage and drink too much coffee, too much wine and then it's the New Year.  Ugh.  "Why did I do this to myself?"

Stay committed to feeling great and plan your meals for your own sanity and for your family's benefit.  Cold and flu season is here, and one thing I've learned,  is food helps keep you well!  Eat well, rest, and take your immune boosting supplements and you'll be on your way to an awesome new start to 2014!

Let me hear from you with your quick dinner ideas!  I get inspired by your meals!

Have an awesome day!
Krista

November Gratitude

I've been laying a bit low on the recipes this week ... time marches on and all of a sudden the days have flown by!

Instead of a recipe, here is something that has changed my life for the past few years.  It's easy.  It's free.  It takes about 3 minutes.  You ready?  A gratitude journal.  Before you groan and think I'm getting all Oprah on you, give me a minute to explain.

Most of you know what a gratitude journal is.  It can be a fancy leather journal or a simple composition pad.  This is mine.

I just like to make sure I can fold book in half to write on both sides of the page.

I even have used apps that let you type in the things you're grateful for along with a photo of whatever it is that you're thankful for.  Those are cool too!

Anyway, what is so great about doing this list everyday?  There are so many reasons,  but here's the easiest one to pick:

IT MAKES YOU FEEL GREAT!

Some days are not as easy as we'd like them to be.  Am I right?  Some days we like to stay miserable about something not working or something not being fair ... did you ever notice those days just continue to snowball into more crap happening?  Yep, negative vibes attract negative energy.

By having some way of keeping track of good stuff, you can change your yucky day into a day that just plain feels great. Gratitude gets the pep in your step, your mojo happening and of course the ability to stay calm when necessary.  For me, that is every single day with two teenage girls! 

Simple Instructions:

1. Get yourself a simple notebook or whatever you would like to record thought on. 
2. Find a time to write.  I like the morning before the day really begins, but lately I have been writing at night before bed. That helps me drift off into a happy slumber.
3. List 10 things that you are grateful for.  They don't have to be extravagant events.  Sometimes I'm just happy to have a cozy blanket on me! 
4. Smile.

Often I feel like I have to remind myself of the things I have, instead of what I think I want or need.  Once you relax into "everything is alright" thinking, things start to happen without all the stress that sometimes we get worked up about.  Trust me.

Positive vibes breed positive energy.  Try it out in this month of November ... the month of Thanksgiving.

I cannot end this without thanking all of you who responded to my simple facebook post 12 days ago.  I had a great visit with my neurosurgeon in NYC who was happy with my latest MRI, 18 months after my radiation with the cyberknife.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support!

Rockefeller Plaza mums

Conquering my fear of heights with my man!

At my favorite market "Eataly"

Much Love,
Krista

Morning Quinoa Bliss

Hello Busy Parents!!

Just wanted to share this awesome breakfast idea with you!  Maybe you are SO ready to venture out of your comfort zone and try something different.  Maybe you're bored with your Cheerios!  Are you in need of a breakfast that keeps you full till lunch?

I've written about the benefits of the superfood quinoa earlier this fall ... bottom line for those not interested in nutritional facts:  it tastes good, is great for you, and can work as a versatile grain with just about any additions thrown in! 

If you're a busy mom,  you really do not have time to make this in the morning before the school rush begins.  Maybe you will try it this weekend.  Maybe you are reading this now after everyone has gone to bed and you want to prep it for tomorrow ... maybe you're just about passed out on the couch after a very long day and the kids uniforms aren't finished washing yet!  Whatever your reasons, if you are ready to start the day off with a meal that sets the tone for a productive day, you really should try this grain out!  I cannot stress enough how many people skip breakfast ... myself included some days!  When you start the day off in a deficit it just snowballs from there!  You know what I'm talking about right?!

Quinoa Breakfast Bliss

1 Tablespoon of coconut oil
1 cup of cooked quinoa
1 chopped apple
2 chopped dried dates
1 Tablespoon of slivered raw almonds
1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries (or both!)
a drizzle of honey
a dusting of cinnamon

1.  Heat your fry pan to medium heat.  Add coconut oil.  When melted, add the chopped apple.  Cook until softened.  Add the dates, almonds, cranberries and/or cherries.  Cook until warmed through.
2.  Add the mixture to the quinoa.  Dust with a bit of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.
3.  Enjoy! 


Here's to keeping your metabolic fire roaring and your energy blazing!!

Sorry, couldn't help myself from sharing!  This is Charlie.  He knows how to chill while I write!

Be Well,
Krista

Beef Provencal Stew

Good Morning Momma-birds!

Here is a really easy recipe for you to try this week as the weather is a little cloudy and rainy here in the Northeast.  I never thought I would be posting a beef stew recipe as the idea of stew brings back images of too much mushy stuff as a kid!  This one is just plain really good as my whole family agreed.  If you're like me,  the season is continuing to keep me busy with games, practices, more games, and homework, cooking is just too hard to fit into my afternoons lately.  I'm feeling the pull of the take-out menu!   But, if you are looking for a good one your kids will eat and you seriously don't have too much prep or clean up, check this one out. 

I start this recipe on the stove and then throw into the crock pot on low all day.  Serve over some medium buttered egg noodles and open a bag of salad and you're done!  Enjoy!

Beef Provencal Stew

Serves 6 (3/4 cup stew and 1/2 cup noodles)

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons of olive oil
12 garlic cloves (use at your discretion ... more or less)
1 (2 pound) boneless chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 2-inch cubes  
               (I found already cubed Kosher beef at Trader Joe's)
1 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 cup red wine
2 cups chopped carrot
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup lower-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
Dash of ground cloves
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
3 cups cooked medium egg noodles (about 4 cups uncooked noodles)

Preparation:

1.  Heat a small Dutch oven over low heat.  Add oil to pan; swirl to coat.  Add garlic; cook 5 minutes or until garlic is fragrant, stirring occasionally.  Remove garlic with a slotted spoon; set aside.  Increase the heat to medium-high.  Add beef to pan; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.  Cook 5 minutes, browning on all sides.  Remove beef from pan.  Add wine to pan; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bit.  Add reserved garlic, beef, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, carrot and next 8 ingredients (through bay leaf) and bring to a boil.

2.  Place mixture in a crock pot.  Cook for 5 hours on high or low all day if you start early in the day.  If you don't have a crock pot you can cook this in the oven at 300 degrees for about 2 1/2 hours.

Hope you add this one to your file!  It just helps to have a few of these slow cooker recipes!

Now you have more time to quiz them for their test tomorrow, run their uniforms through the wash for the games tomorrow and maybe, even maybe get to watch some shows you missed this season!

Have an awesome day!
Krista

Turkey Chili

Here is the chili recipe I was really happy with last night!

Surprisingly I thought I ruined it when I was trying to do too many things at once and forgot about the onions with the turkey at the start!  It was really smoking when I came back to the kitchen!  I'm not saying to overcook your onions, garlic and meat, just don't give up if you do!

I have made chili before with wine and dark chocolate.  I always take out my microplane and grate the chocolate into the chili.  I didn't have time yesterday so I just threw about 2-3 squares of what I had in my cabinet ... Lindt Excellence Dark Chocolate with a Touch of Sea Salt.

Also, most recipes for chili with red wine use a fruity wine like Merlot.  I didn't have any Merlot.  Just Cabernet.  So that is what I used.  I think either would be fine.  Use what you have.

I use whole tomatoes for this recipe and pulse them in the blender a few seconds to give the tomatoes a smooth texture.  If you like them chunky just chop coarsely and you're set.


Turkey Chili

Yields:  8 servings
(Serving size 1 1/4 cups)

Ingredients:
1T olive oil
1 lb ground turkey
1 medium sized onion chopped
2-4 garlic cloves minced
1 T chili powder (or more to taste)
2 T brown sugar
1 T ground cumin
3 T tomato paste
1 t. dried oregano
1/2 t ground pepper
1/4 t sea salt
2 bay leaves
1 cup red wine
2 (28 ounce) cans whole tomatoes, pulsed in blender depending on your family' preferences
2 (15 ounce) cans of kidney beans (I used two varieties:  white and red) rinsed well
Sharp shredded cheddar to top

Directions:
1.  Heat a large pot over medium heat.  Add the olive oil and onions.  Cook a few minutes to soften.  Add turkey and garlic to pan and cook about 8 minutes until no longer pink.
2.  Add chili powder and next 6 ingredients (chili powder through bay leaves), and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Stir in wine, tomatoes, kidney beans and dark chocolate.  Bring mixture to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer about 45 minutes.  Remove cover and cook until desired consistency.  Discard bay leaves.
3.  Sprinkle with cheddar!  Add a dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream (optional)

That is it.

Enjoy with your family!
Krista

Quinoa Salad

 When I was first introduced to quinoa (keen-wah) a few years back, I was totally floored!  It is the most versatile grain around and has tons of benefits!  You've got your fiber, your protein (huge when you are eating a plant based diet), low in sugar, low in fat, contains iron (huge benefit for most women), no salt and the list goes on.  The Incas considered it sacred giving their warriors stamina!!

Oh yeah, it's gluten free as well!!  Yippee!

You can use quinoa as a breakfast porridge, a pilaf or a salad.  You can add whatever veggies you have in your fridge and start experimenting!  You really can't mess this up!  If I had tomatoes in the house I would have used them too!

This is what I came up with today ...

Veggie Quinoa Salad
(can you tell I just winged this?)

1 cup of quinoa cooked in broth
2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups of roasted corn kernels
1 avocado cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cucumber cut into cubes
1/2 small onion (if desired)
1 cup of canned chick peas, rinsed
feta cheese ... as much as you like
fresh mint ... to taste
sea salt and pepper to taste
fresh lemon juice (I squeezed 2 medium sized)
1 tablespoon of olive oil 
1 fried egg (I love mine cooked all the way through ... not runny, but however you like it!)

Cook quinoa with broth according to package directions. Be sure to rinse the quinoa before cooking.

While quinoa is cooking, combine corn, avocado, cucumber, onion (if desired), feta cheese, chick peas and fresh mint.  Juice lemons.  Add olive oil to the lemon juice.  Top with sea salt and ground fresh pepper.

Mix vegetables with lemon dressing.

Add to the quinoa and mix.

Top salad with fried egg.  Season as desired.

Yay!  A perfect avocado!

You can use red or yellow quinoa for this ...

 

Enjoy!

Krista

Macaroni and Cheeeeze!

So I was fortunate enough to have a great day to host the soccer team's pasta dinner last night at my house.  I was thrilled to have a beautiful day to set up tables outside and eat after their team practice.  Team parents rotate houses to feed the girls every night before a game so we all get to host!  So, me being a newbee parent to high school soccer started picking my brain for something different as I tend to do that ... food wise anyway!  Lol! 

The girls were really great and showed tons of gratitude which of course ranks really high with all parents!  I love the team bonding off the field and the fact that they actually talked to us was just plain cool.

So here is what they loved ... a simple mac and cheese! I have to say when cooking for a large group, I go with the most basic recipes.  I confess, I didn't use whole wheat elbows for this dinner.  I have made it for my family with whole wheat ... they had no idea it wasn't the plain noodles they always like.  So, try it without the whole wheat or venture into the "other" kind of noodle if you want to take it out of your comfort zone :)  Of course, we had 5 pounds of regular penne with vodka sauce, meatballs, garlic bread, tons of salad, bread, a really easy chicken scampi (recipe for another day!), watermelon (really good for refueling muscles), and the best cookies ever:  pumpkin cookies ...


Macaroni and Cheese
Makes: 4 servings
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients
3 tablespoons plain dry breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 3/4 cups low-fat milk, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
8 ounces (2 cups) whole-wheat elbow macaroni, or penne

Preparation

1. Put a large pot of water on to boil. Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat an 8-inch-square (2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Mix breadcrumbs, oil and paprika in a small bowl.
3. Heat 1 1/2 cups milk in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until steaming. Whisk remaining 1/4 cup milk and flour in a small bowl until smooth; add to the hot milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce simmers and thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. 
4. Remove from heat and stir in Cheddar until melted. Stir in cottage cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
5. Cook pasta for 4 minutes, or until not quite tender. (It will continue to cook during baking.) Drain and add to the cheese sauce; mix well. Spread half the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish.  Top with the remaining pasta; sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture.
6. Bake the casserole until bubbly and golden, 25 to 30 minutes.

Tips & Notes:
Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, if necessary, then bake for 35 to 45 minutes.


Kids love pasta!  A great way to get the carbs into their bodies for their event tomorrow!  Make sure you get some protein into them to help them absorb these carbs! 

Have an awesome weekend!
Krista

Chicken with Apples

Happy Monday! 

There is still time to get this recipe going for tonight if you have all the ingredients ... really easy and really good!  Although I had to run out for apple cider, you could almost get away with a nice apple juice, but the cider is really tangy!

I'm happy to say this recipe will satisfy your kids, your time constraints and smells so great when you all get in the house after a long day.  Give it a try and let me know they're reactions!

Happy Fall!
Krista

Crockpot Chicken and Apples
Ingredients:
1 cup apple cider
2 T. apple cider vinegar
1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1 T. curry powder
2 T. butter
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 boneless chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste
3 Granny Smith apples, cored and thickly sliced
1/3 cup chicken broth
1 T. cornstarch

In a small bowl, combine apple cider, vinegar, nutmeg and curry powder.
In a small microwave-safe bowl combine butter, onions and garlic. Microwave on high for 1-2 mins. until onion is softened. Place mixture in bottom of 3-4 quart (or larger) slow cooker.
Dip each chicken breast into the juice mixture to coat and place in crockpot over onions. Pour any remaining juice mixture over the chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours until chicken is almost cooked. Add apples and cook 40-50 minutes longer on low until apples are tender and chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Mix together broth and cornstarch in a small bowl and stir into the liquid in the crockpot. Cover and cook on high heat stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and bubbly, 10-15 minutes. Serve with some hot cooked brown rice and a green salad.

Your kids eating your portion too?

If you're like me, sometimes by the time you sit yourself down at the dinner table,  most of the food has been claimed!  And you being the ultimate giving person ends up with less than everyone else ... right?

Makes you wonder if you are making enough ... or are they eating too much?

When it comes to protein requirements for growing athletes, there is a little formula that you can work with.  Of course it varies depending on age and sport ... so here goes:

• Take your kid's weight and divide it by 2.2 to determine kilograms.
• Children aged 7-10:  1.1 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram  
• (example:  Mikey weighs 50 pounds:  50/2.2 = 27.73 (let's round to 28 kilograms)  28 x 1.2 = 30.8 grams of protein per day.
• Children aged 11-14:  1.0 gram of protein per kilogram of weight

If you have a kid who plays a power sport you would want to increase their strength with adequate protein as well as an endurance athlete who is training and playing many hours at a time.

Although many athletes believe in "carbo loading" the day before their game/meet, they have to keep in mind that without some protein, they will not be able to convert the carbs to usable energy for their event.

A good basic meal to keep in mind:  lots of rice and veggies with some chicken teriyaki in the mix.

Please click this recipe from awhile back for a stir-fry recipe if you are in need of something easy and really, really good!!!

And so I'm off to watch a game daughter #1 is playing in ...
Wish I could be in two places at the same time to watch daughter #2 play her game!

Hope you have a fantastic evening wherever your kids take you!
Krista


When I begged my kids to please pose with me for a photo for a new book that will be coming out by the husband and wife team of Drew and Karin Rozell this is what I get to deal with:

Anyone else feel the joy?

I love them.

Even though they make me crazy.  

In Wellness,

Krista

Chicken Noodle Soup

I have been waiting for the right day to make this one as it's coming into soup season in my house!  I just love chicken noodle soup probably because it's the ultimate comfort food!  And being that it is Monday and my kids and I were slow moving this morning I thought a nice pot of soup after everyone's long day would be perfect. 

Little bonus tip here ....

Everyone has their own recipe that they use for this soup and depending on how much time you have there are many recipes out there to choose from.  My only concern when I make this is whether they have enough protein with a little bowl of soup.  So, I pass this little idea onto you if you share the same worry:  white cannelini beans!  Add an extra punch of protein to the bowl by adding half a can of rinsed beans to a cup of the simmering broth and blending it until smooth.  It creates a creamy soup with a nice rich texture all without them knowing they are eating beans.  Kinda sneaky, I know but sometimes it's just easier!

If you need a basic soup recipe to try here is one that I swiped off of Cooking Light.  You can add the white cannelini bean idea to the broth once the veggies are in along with the broth.  Stay tuned for my article on how to determine how much protein your young athlete needs each day!

Happy Monday!
Krista

Yesterday's huddle ... Wildcats were on fire!

Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

• 8 cups Chicken Stock or fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth 
• 2 (4-ounce) skinless, bone-in chicken thighs 
• 1 (12-ounce) skinless, bone-in chicken breast half 
• 2 cups diagonally sliced carrot
• 2 cups diagonally sliced celery
• 1 cup chopped onion 
• 6 ounces uncooked medium egg noodles
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Celery leaves (optional)

Preparation

1. 1. Combine the first 3 ingredients in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. Remove chicken from pan; let stand for 10 minutes. Remove chicken from bones; shred meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard bones.
2. 2. Add carrot, celery, and onion to pan; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add noodles, and simmer 6 minutes. Add chicken, salt, and black pepper; cook for 2 minutes or until noodles are done. Garnish with celery leaves, if desired.

Great Tool for Refueling Stressed Muscles

 

Happy Saturday!

What a week!

Back to school!

So reality is setting in for the next 9 1/2 months

Bring it on!

Just wanted to share a great product with you busy moms and dads of athletes that is being used in our house every night to refuel everyone's muscles, help with a nice sleep and keep bellies happy.  You can find it in a health food store, or order it online and it will last you a very long time!  If your family is training at least 5 days a week, you know there are days where you have to pull out the ice packs and set the timer to help them heal.  This will definitely aid in recovery. 

It's called CALM PLUS CALCIUM ... premium sports magnesium-calcium drink.

I'm not going to get into the whole blood-chemistry thing here but here's what it does for our athletes who are probably really busy this time of year, especially if they are playing for multiple teams at the same time:

"Natural Calm Plus Calcium is formulated to prevent a surplus of calcium robbing the body's vital magnesium supply and to avoid the symptoms associated with depleted levels of magnesium.  This premium formulation includes vitamin D, boron and vitamin C to facilitate the assimilation, distribution and utilization of calcium.  Natural Calm Plus Calcium is excellent for athletes and anyone who works out.  It assists in preventing muscle cramping and helps reduce lactic acid."

It's basically going to help them recover quickly and reduce muscle cramping and soreness.  There is a balance that needs to be maintained between calcium and magnesium and often times we are depleted in our magnesium levels which leads to a host of problems.  

Here is a link to explain it fully:  http://naturalvitality.com/natural-calm-plus-calcium/

The other benefit is it helps relax the muscles for a good night's sleep!  Love that!

Have an awesome Saturday!  

Krista

 

Summer simmering down ...

Good Morning Everyone,

Loving the sounds of crickets right now ... so quiet in the morning before everyone is up and moving.  It's getting close to that time of year where we go from casual everything to buckling up and strapping into the ride of back to school schedules.  I really really love summer ... and I know once that first day of school starts I will move forward.  But, this summer has been a fantastic one with lots of great memories!

Pine Island, Corolla

I was so thrilled to be out there with Hannah and the dolphins!  Total joy!

Yeah it was a flat week but somehow they always manage to get up!

OBX sunsets are my favorite!

Back to reality ... all the lists that we complete as moms for our kids going back to school in a few days here in NJ.  Yes, I have hit the school supplies, the clothes shopping lists, the appointments for haircuts, etc.  My focus is now on getting my menus in order again as I have been off my scheduled shopping and kind of "winging it" all summer!  I think Moms need to just "wing it" sometimes, but if you have athletes, busy kids, or just kids at all, you really should take this week to write out some menus for yourself to follow once the busy schedules kick in.  Believe me, it is sooo much nicer to wake up in the morning with a plan that you will follow for that day.  It allows you to focus on what you need to focus on ... whether it be your kids, your job, the run to Staples after the first day, etc!  You know what I mean.  Once your dinners are planned it allows you to stay grounded and roll with whatever distractions come your way.

Here's how I do it:
1.  Have a "team meeting" with your family once a season.  Ask them what meals they would like to add to your "list" that will rotate throughout the next few months.  Come up with ten meals that are simple enough to work, tweek as necessary and of course, be realistic for you!

2.  Get your shopping list set up for you to use each week.  I like to shop on the same day every week to keep everything in check.  Another bonus tip:  get yourself one of those apps to keep your staples in your phone to have ready every time you go to the store.  Update each week with the extras you need for those meals.

3.  Review the week after you know everyone's game times, practice schedules and put the meals on a calendar that everyone can see.  It is so nice to point to the calendar when they ask, "Mom what's for dinner?"  Really nice :)

4.  Enjoy the free time you now have!  I'm serious, just give this plan 30 days and you will never want to "wing it" again during the insane, busy times of whatever season you are currently in.

Let me know if you have any questions or ideas that have worked for you!

Enjoy this last week of summer!  Get your momma mojo on and plan these meals so you are ready to embrace the back to school frenzy!

Much love,
Krista

Fruit Still Rocks!

The date of July 29th is completely flooring me!

Summer passes so quickly and yet there are days that I wish we were back in school ... but this year back to school shopping is not appealing to me at all ... I'm not ready to buy supplies, get hair cuts, go clothes shopping, and send my kids off into another year of learning and schedules.  I just like it right now.  Like those days with blue skis and puffy clouds.  Sweet.

After a very busy summer of sports, today was a great do-nothing kind of day.  I haven't even figured out dinner yet ...

Yes, I'm supposed to have it all planned out on my menu planner as my book states, but there's just something about those lazy days that are too nice to worry about stuff.

I'm really grateful for the great people I get to hang around with at these weekend soccer tournaments - and my reason for writing this post was simply to acknowledge how dedicated parents of young athletes are to their families, to their teams and to character building.  I know there are always some that we roll our eyes at as they are coaching from the sidelines in really loud annoying voices, but I have to say things were really nice this weekend.  Bonus ... mostly everyone was eating fruit and healthy foods between games!  Yay!  Maybe that's why they played so well ... ;)

Here's to enjoying the rest of your summer busy moms and dads!  I hope you all get to drink it in now ... time is flying!

In Gratitude,
Krista

What do you pack in your cooler for all day events?

Here is what scored with the kids this weekend:

• clementines (those cute little oranges that are easy to peel)
• watermelon (awesome for their water content and amino acids that help widen blood vessels and break down lactic acids)
• grapes (potent antioxidant that helps athletes with muscle recovery)

These are so easy to throw in a cooler and when the kids only have about an hour to an hour and a half between games/events they are great to refuel with!  Don't underestimate the value of simple fruit!!  The sugar content is there to add to their tank without the garbage of the processed products that companies are marketing to you as a serious athlete.

The nicest fields I've ever seen!  Tuckahoe Sod Farms

Between checking their phones for new stuff these girls refueled really well to play their fourth game of the weekend with serious determination!

Hazy, Lazy Days of Summer!

Hope you are enjoying the above!!!
My mantra for summer is to "Do What You Love and Love What You Do!"

I know many moms right now who are trying to do as much as they can to infuse their summers with really good stuff.  We've had a really good start to summer with concerts (Bruno Mars and One Direction) , shore trips, soccer tournaments, a drive-in movie, tons of pool time (anyone else feel like throwing ice cubes in the pool?  90 degrees officially makes it a hot tub in my opinion!), swim meets, backyard bbq's and the list continues!

The One Direction Craze!!!

My sis and I at Bruno Mars ... kids would not pose with us!

 

 

Charlie is so happy with his lazy summer days!

Yes, the biggest splash contest continues!

Beach buddies :)

Lawrenceville, NJ GTT Tournament

Drive-in!  Beautiful night!

This is all great, but my house is lacking in some good food lately!  Anyone else feel the lack of schedule leading to no food in the house?  I rarely get excited to go food shopping but I'm really looking forward to going tomorrow!!!  So the question is, how to fit it in when you are strapped for time with all the other things pulling you in different directions?

5 Quick Tips to Help You Buy Healthy Foods:

•  Shop the perimeter of the store ... remember what that means?  Leave out the middle aisles ... plus they are full of processed foods you can do without.
• Go early in the day if possible to avoid the lunch crowd!
• Bring your list!
• Avoid foods that are "fat free" or "sugar free,"  they include fake stuff (you don't really want me to go into this right now do you?)
• Use the "Dirty Dozen, Clean Fifteen" List below to sort our what to buy organic if possible.

Wishing you much peace amid a beautifully busy summer :)
Krista 


"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do."
~Mark Twain



           Dirty Dozen (Buy these Organic):

1.      Peach

2.     Apple

3.     Bell pepper

4.     Celery

5.     Nectarine

6.     Strawberries

7.     Cherries

8.     Kale

9.     Lettuce

10.   Grapes (imported)

11.   Carrots

12.    Pears

Clean 15  (Lowest in Pesticides)

1.      Onion

2.     Avocado

3.     Sweet corn

4.     Pineapple

5.     Mango

6.     Asparagus

7.     Sweet peas

8.     Kiwi

9.     Cabbage

10.  Eggplant

11.   Papaya

12.   Watermelon

13.    Broccoli

14.    Tomato

15.    Sweet potato